The self-control literature suggests two main short-run models with contradictory predictions. By... more The self-control literature suggests two main short-run models with contradictory predictions. By perceiving self-control as a knowledge or perishable resource, those models report a positive and negative impact, respectively, of an initial self-control act on subsequent self-control ability. Using biometric data to monitor compliance enabled us to develop a unified self-control model, reconciling the diverging results in the literature. We find evidence of a dual impact of an initial self-control act on subsequent impulse buying self-control ability. Specifically, while an initial moderate self-control act enhances subsequent self-control ability, exerting self-control beyond a certain threshold causes fatigue reducing subsequent self-control ability.
The primary objective of this paper was to determine key factors impacting the frequency of consu... more The primary objective of this paper was to determine key factors impacting the frequency of consumer visits to Texas farmers’ markets measured in number of visits per month. Data obtained from in-person surveys administered in two farmers’ markets locations were used to determine consumer, market factors, and socio-demographic characteristics of shoppers affecting frequency of visits. The results of the model
A population of Gerardia savaglia living below 60 m depth in the marine protected Area of portofi... more A population of Gerardia savaglia living below 60 m depth in the marine protected Area of portofino (Ligurian Sea) has been directly studied by mixed-gas diving. the population is composed by 23 colonies with a maximal height of 1 m and a maximal base diameter of 9 cm. the sex ratio is 1:2 and the larvae are spawned in December.
Underwater seascapes are often of difficult perception also for insiders if not familiar with div... more Underwater seascapes are often of difficult perception also for insiders if not familiar with diving activities, compromising social awareness towards conservation strategies. With the growing performances of mobile devices and their diffusion, augmented reality (AR) could become a key tool for the visualization of many GeoSpatial datasets. Existing research is limited to recreational applications and on augments paper-based of city maps and only few works focus on the potentiality of AR in real settings. Data from field studies may impact heavily on development and design of environmental managing. In this study we assess the capacity of the AR using bathymetric data and benthic habitat information to develop a 3D reconstruction display of the geomorphological data from Gallinara Island (Ligurian Sea, Italy). We used cartographic information and real time 3d rendering techniques, combined with GPS and sensors like gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, and image processing to create AR...
In this study we assess the capacity of the Benthic Terrain Model data for discriminating the div... more In this study we assess the capacity of the Benthic Terrain Model data for discriminating the diverse coralligenous habitats along the Ligurian coast (Italy) and for providing baseline maps for future monitoring of the changes and evolution of coralligenous environments in the Mediterranean basin. We test the effectiveness of the model and the geophysical substrate properties such as depth, slope, aspect, rugosity, and geomorphic zones, for detecting the location of known coralligenous communities in the region. Multibeam sonar data were used in combination with checkpoint ground sampling and classified using a benthic terrain model (in ArcGis 10.1). Preliminary results show the potential of the model to identify well-known areas and to forecast other potential coralligenous outcrops located along the Italian costs. The results presented here fits in the regional spatial mapping of coralligenous environments (The Marine Strategy Framework Directive, MSFD: 2008/56/EC), allowing the p...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infec... more Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infect the human host. We report here the results of a transcriptome profiling comparing cells treated with H(2)O(2) and untreated controls. The data indicate that the early response of P. aeruginosa to H(2)O(2) consists of an upregulation of protective mechanisms and a downregulation of primary metabolism.
To successfully infect humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) must overcome the low iron availabilit... more To successfully infect humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) must overcome the low iron availability in host tissues. A transcriptome comparison was carried out between iron-starved cells of Pa treated with iron and untreated controls. The present study is the first global analysis of the early transcriptional response of exponentially growing Pa to iron. Approximately 1.3% of the Pa genes displayed > or = 5.0-fold changes in mRNA levels in iron-treated cells. Treatment affected the mRNA levels of many genes required for iron acquisition as well as several genes with relevance to virulence previously known to be regulated by iron. More importantly, the analysis permitted identification of 107 Pa genes whose mRNA levels were not previously known to be affected by iron. These genes are good candidates for mutagenesis studies aimed at identifying novel functions relevant to iron metabolism in Pa. Some of these genes encode predicted siderophore receptors, iron transport systems, TonB-...
... Consumers are influenced by nutrition and health considerations in their decision to purchase... more ... Consumers are influenced by nutrition and health considerations in their decision to purchase shrimp or ... Wang , Q. , Halbrendt , C. & Caron , N. ( 1995 ) Differences between retailer and consumer concerns ... agreed that water pollution is a greater problem for wild-harvested than ...
Despite the wide distribution of zoanthids, little is known about their pattern of reproduction. ... more Despite the wide distribution of zoanthids, little is known about their pattern of reproduction. Here we investigate the reproductive biology of two Mediterranean species, the common Parazoanthus axinellae (Schmidt) and the rare Savalia savaglia (Bertoloni). For both species, samples ...
It has previously been shown that it plays a role in a wound infection model in the rat and that ... more It has previously been shown that it plays a role in a wound infection model in the rat and that antibodies against Efb reduce the number of recovered bacteria from the mammary glands in a mouse mastitis model. Efb binds to the ␣-chain of fibrinogen and does not participate in bacterial adherence to fibrinogen. The binding of Efb to fibrinogen is divalent, with one binding site within the two repeat regions in Efb at the N terminus and one binding site at the C terminus. The divalent binding nature leads to precipitation of Efb-fibrinogen complex when the proteins are added to each other at a 1:1 molar ratio. The interaction between Efb and fibrinogen is strongly enhanced by Ca 2؉ or Zn 2؉ but not by Mg 2 .
Salicylic acid (SAL) may impact Staphylococcus aureus virulence by activating the sigB operon (rs... more Salicylic acid (SAL) may impact Staphylococcus aureus virulence by activating the sigB operon (rsbU-V-W-sigB), thus leading to reductions in alpha-toxin production and decreased fibronectin binding (L. I. Kupferwasser et al., J. Clin. Investig. 112:222-233, 2003). As these prior studies were performed in strain RN6390 (an rsbU mutant) and its rsbU-repaired variant, SH1000, the current investigation was designed to determine if the SAL effect occurs via rsbU- and/or rsbV-dependent pathways in an rsbU-intact S. aureus strain (FDA486). We thus quantified the transcription from two sigB-dependent promoters (asp23 and sarA P3) in FDA486 in response to SAL exposure in vitro, using isogenic single-knockout constructs of rsbU, rsbV, or rsbW and a green fluorescent protein reporter system. SAL induced sarA P3 and asp23 promoter activities in a dose-dependent manner in the parental strain. In contrast, sigB activation by SAL was progressively more mitigated in the rsbU and rsbV mutants. As predicted, SAL caused significant reductions in both alpha-toxin production and fibrinogen and fibronectin binding in the parental strain. The extent of these reductions, compared with the parent, was reduced in the rsb mutants (rsbV > rsbU), especially at low SAL concentrations. Since generation of the free SigB protein usually requires a sequential rsbU-V-W-sigB activation cascade, the present phenotypic and genotypic data suggest key roles for both rsbU and rsbV in SAL-mediated activation of sigB in strains with a fully intact sigB operon.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infec... more Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infect the human host. We report here the results of a transcriptome profiling comparing cells treated with H(2)O(2) and untreated controls. The data indicate that the early response of P. aeruginosa to H(2)O(2) consists of an upregulation of protective mechanisms and a downregulation of primary metabolism.
SoxR is a transcriptional regulator that controls an oxidative stress response in Escherichia col... more SoxR is a transcriptional regulator that controls an oxidative stress response in Escherichia coli. The regulator is primarily activated by superoxide anion-dependent oxidation. Activated SoxR turns on transcription of a single gene, soxS, which encodes a transcriptional regulator that activates a regulon that includes dozens of oxidative stress response genes. SoxR homologues have been identified in many bacterial species, including the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the expected SoxR partner, SoxS, has not been found in P. aeruginosa. Thus, the primary gene target(s) of P. aeruginosa SoxR is unknown and the involvement of this regulator in the oxidative stress response of the bacterium remains unclear. We utilized transcriptome profiling to identify the P. aeruginosa SoxR regulon and constructed and characterized an unmarked P. aeruginosa DeltasoxR mutant. We provide evidence indicating that P. aeruginosa SoxR activates a six-gene regulon in response to O(2)(.-)-induced stress. The regulon includes three transcriptional units: (i) the recently identified mexGHI-ompD four-gene operon, which encodes a multidrug efflux pump system involved in quorum-sensing signal homeostasis; (ii) gene PA3718, encoding a probable efflux pump; and (iii) gene PA2274, encoding a probable monooxygenase. We also demonstrate that P. aeruginosa SoxR is not a key regulatory player in the oxidative stress response. Finally, we show that P. aeruginosa SoxR is required for virulence in a mouse model of intrapulmonary infection. These results demonstrate that the E. coli-based SoxRS paradigm does not hold in P. aeruginosa and foster new hypotheses for the possible physiological role of P. aeruginosa SoxR.
Riassunto -Le anomalie climatiche, che si stanno registrando sempre più frequentemente, hanno gra... more Riassunto -Le anomalie climatiche, che si stanno registrando sempre più frequentemente, hanno gravi ripercussioni ambientali non solo nell'ambiente terrestre ma anche marino. Soprattutto in quest'ultimo caso manca la possibilità di condurre monitoraggi estesi ed a lungo termine. Tale limite compromette una adeguata comprensione dei fenomeni, che sono percepiti solo quando notevolemente estesi o estremamente drammatici ed improvvisi. Per questo motivo è nata l'esigenza di avvalersi dell'aiuto di subacquei volontari adeguatamente preparati, come già avviene in numerosi paesi anglosassoni, per valutare in modo esteso le dinamiche i) degli areali di distribuzione di alcune specie target, ii) delle strutture di comunità in stazioni fisse e iii) della temperatura lungo profili costieri verticali. Qui sono illustrati alcuni esempi dei risultati ottenuti, su scala nazionale, dopo circa due anni di attività, al fine di evidenziare le potenzialità del progetto che, se adeguatamente supportato, potrebbe rappresentare un valido strumento di monitoraggio ed un efficace mezzo per sensibilizzare la popolazione verso le problematiche dell'ambiente marino.
A number of microbial contamination incidents have continued to raise questions regarding the saf... more A number of microbial contamination incidents have continued to raise questions regarding the safety of the U.S. food supply with calls for improved food safety control initiatives and standards by both the private and public sectors. As a reaction to these incidents, there have been increased efforts to enhance food safety by the government and industry groups. Increasingly, process standards are being specified that recommend or prescribe Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards for production, Good Handling Practices (GHP) standards for handling products, and Good Management Practices (GMP) for responsibilities in overseeing production and handling operations. A primary concern is the potential that the costs associated with implementing food safety related standards will prohibit small producers and handlers from taking part in certain market segments, such as supplying the supermarkets that sell most of the production in developed and more advanced developing countries. Previous study results are presented that suggest economies of scale effects for larger farm size operations leading to lower per-unit compliance cost. This analysis utilized specialty crop representative farm stochastic simulation models that were designed to analyze the impacts of current and changing market conditions and government policies on a number of key operating variables (KOV). The results of the analysis provide an initial indication that the cost associated with compliance to regulatory standards does have an effect on the profitability of individual enterprises.
ABSTRACT Coralligenous habitats are of special interest in the Mediterranean Sea because they rep... more ABSTRACT Coralligenous habitats are of special interest in the Mediterranean Sea because they represent one of the most important biodiversity ‘hot-spots’ and are considered of great relevance for fisheries activities in the region. Despite their importance, however, there are missing consensual methodologies for their monitoring and, despite some attempts, no environmental or ecological quality indices have been established yet. This situation could be related to the difficulties associated with their exploration and their spatial heterogeneity. These habitats are in urgent need of efficient standard monitoring and management protocols programmes to develop an effective network for their conservation. Here we reviewed the available methodologies and robotics tools used to evaluate and monitor benthic habitats, highlighting the importance of defining rapid cost-effective sampling and analyses approaches and architectures for future monitoring of changes in coralligenous habitats based on current technological developments. We identified still images acquisitions as the most effective data gathering system. Stereo photogrammetry, photomosaic elaboration and three-dimensional (3D) modelling may largely improve the data analysis and therefore the quality status assessment of the coralligenous habitats. The advantage and efficiency of different approaches and methods, and whether they should be applied and standardised for further monitoring activities, were discussed.
The self-control literature suggests two main short-run models with contradictory predictions. By... more The self-control literature suggests two main short-run models with contradictory predictions. By perceiving self-control as a knowledge or perishable resource, those models report a positive and negative impact, respectively, of an initial self-control act on subsequent self-control ability. Using biometric data to monitor compliance enabled us to develop a unified self-control model, reconciling the diverging results in the literature. We find evidence of a dual impact of an initial self-control act on subsequent impulse buying self-control ability. Specifically, while an initial moderate self-control act enhances subsequent self-control ability, exerting self-control beyond a certain threshold causes fatigue reducing subsequent self-control ability.
The primary objective of this paper was to determine key factors impacting the frequency of consu... more The primary objective of this paper was to determine key factors impacting the frequency of consumer visits to Texas farmers’ markets measured in number of visits per month. Data obtained from in-person surveys administered in two farmers’ markets locations were used to determine consumer, market factors, and socio-demographic characteristics of shoppers affecting frequency of visits. The results of the model
A population of Gerardia savaglia living below 60 m depth in the marine protected Area of portofi... more A population of Gerardia savaglia living below 60 m depth in the marine protected Area of portofino (Ligurian Sea) has been directly studied by mixed-gas diving. the population is composed by 23 colonies with a maximal height of 1 m and a maximal base diameter of 9 cm. the sex ratio is 1:2 and the larvae are spawned in December.
Underwater seascapes are often of difficult perception also for insiders if not familiar with div... more Underwater seascapes are often of difficult perception also for insiders if not familiar with diving activities, compromising social awareness towards conservation strategies. With the growing performances of mobile devices and their diffusion, augmented reality (AR) could become a key tool for the visualization of many GeoSpatial datasets. Existing research is limited to recreational applications and on augments paper-based of city maps and only few works focus on the potentiality of AR in real settings. Data from field studies may impact heavily on development and design of environmental managing. In this study we assess the capacity of the AR using bathymetric data and benthic habitat information to develop a 3D reconstruction display of the geomorphological data from Gallinara Island (Ligurian Sea, Italy). We used cartographic information and real time 3d rendering techniques, combined with GPS and sensors like gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, and image processing to create AR...
In this study we assess the capacity of the Benthic Terrain Model data for discriminating the div... more In this study we assess the capacity of the Benthic Terrain Model data for discriminating the diverse coralligenous habitats along the Ligurian coast (Italy) and for providing baseline maps for future monitoring of the changes and evolution of coralligenous environments in the Mediterranean basin. We test the effectiveness of the model and the geophysical substrate properties such as depth, slope, aspect, rugosity, and geomorphic zones, for detecting the location of known coralligenous communities in the region. Multibeam sonar data were used in combination with checkpoint ground sampling and classified using a benthic terrain model (in ArcGis 10.1). Preliminary results show the potential of the model to identify well-known areas and to forecast other potential coralligenous outcrops located along the Italian costs. The results presented here fits in the regional spatial mapping of coralligenous environments (The Marine Strategy Framework Directive, MSFD: 2008/56/EC), allowing the p...
Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infec... more Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infect the human host. We report here the results of a transcriptome profiling comparing cells treated with H(2)O(2) and untreated controls. The data indicate that the early response of P. aeruginosa to H(2)O(2) consists of an upregulation of protective mechanisms and a downregulation of primary metabolism.
To successfully infect humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) must overcome the low iron availabilit... more To successfully infect humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) must overcome the low iron availability in host tissues. A transcriptome comparison was carried out between iron-starved cells of Pa treated with iron and untreated controls. The present study is the first global analysis of the early transcriptional response of exponentially growing Pa to iron. Approximately 1.3% of the Pa genes displayed > or = 5.0-fold changes in mRNA levels in iron-treated cells. Treatment affected the mRNA levels of many genes required for iron acquisition as well as several genes with relevance to virulence previously known to be regulated by iron. More importantly, the analysis permitted identification of 107 Pa genes whose mRNA levels were not previously known to be affected by iron. These genes are good candidates for mutagenesis studies aimed at identifying novel functions relevant to iron metabolism in Pa. Some of these genes encode predicted siderophore receptors, iron transport systems, TonB-...
... Consumers are influenced by nutrition and health considerations in their decision to purchase... more ... Consumers are influenced by nutrition and health considerations in their decision to purchase shrimp or ... Wang , Q. , Halbrendt , C. & Caron , N. ( 1995 ) Differences between retailer and consumer concerns ... agreed that water pollution is a greater problem for wild-harvested than ...
Despite the wide distribution of zoanthids, little is known about their pattern of reproduction. ... more Despite the wide distribution of zoanthids, little is known about their pattern of reproduction. Here we investigate the reproductive biology of two Mediterranean species, the common Parazoanthus axinellae (Schmidt) and the rare Savalia savaglia (Bertoloni). For both species, samples ...
It has previously been shown that it plays a role in a wound infection model in the rat and that ... more It has previously been shown that it plays a role in a wound infection model in the rat and that antibodies against Efb reduce the number of recovered bacteria from the mammary glands in a mouse mastitis model. Efb binds to the ␣-chain of fibrinogen and does not participate in bacterial adherence to fibrinogen. The binding of Efb to fibrinogen is divalent, with one binding site within the two repeat regions in Efb at the N terminus and one binding site at the C terminus. The divalent binding nature leads to precipitation of Efb-fibrinogen complex when the proteins are added to each other at a 1:1 molar ratio. The interaction between Efb and fibrinogen is strongly enhanced by Ca 2؉ or Zn 2؉ but not by Mg 2 .
Salicylic acid (SAL) may impact Staphylococcus aureus virulence by activating the sigB operon (rs... more Salicylic acid (SAL) may impact Staphylococcus aureus virulence by activating the sigB operon (rsbU-V-W-sigB), thus leading to reductions in alpha-toxin production and decreased fibronectin binding (L. I. Kupferwasser et al., J. Clin. Investig. 112:222-233, 2003). As these prior studies were performed in strain RN6390 (an rsbU mutant) and its rsbU-repaired variant, SH1000, the current investigation was designed to determine if the SAL effect occurs via rsbU- and/or rsbV-dependent pathways in an rsbU-intact S. aureus strain (FDA486). We thus quantified the transcription from two sigB-dependent promoters (asp23 and sarA P3) in FDA486 in response to SAL exposure in vitro, using isogenic single-knockout constructs of rsbU, rsbV, or rsbW and a green fluorescent protein reporter system. SAL induced sarA P3 and asp23 promoter activities in a dose-dependent manner in the parental strain. In contrast, sigB activation by SAL was progressively more mitigated in the rsbU and rsbV mutants. As predicted, SAL caused significant reductions in both alpha-toxin production and fibrinogen and fibronectin binding in the parental strain. The extent of these reductions, compared with the parent, was reduced in the rsb mutants (rsbV > rsbU), especially at low SAL concentrations. Since generation of the free SigB protein usually requires a sequential rsbU-V-W-sigB activation cascade, the present phenotypic and genotypic data suggest key roles for both rsbU and rsbV in SAL-mediated activation of sigB in strains with a fully intact sigB operon.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infec... more Pseudomonas aeruginosa must often overcome a high concentration of oxidants to successfully infect the human host. We report here the results of a transcriptome profiling comparing cells treated with H(2)O(2) and untreated controls. The data indicate that the early response of P. aeruginosa to H(2)O(2) consists of an upregulation of protective mechanisms and a downregulation of primary metabolism.
SoxR is a transcriptional regulator that controls an oxidative stress response in Escherichia col... more SoxR is a transcriptional regulator that controls an oxidative stress response in Escherichia coli. The regulator is primarily activated by superoxide anion-dependent oxidation. Activated SoxR turns on transcription of a single gene, soxS, which encodes a transcriptional regulator that activates a regulon that includes dozens of oxidative stress response genes. SoxR homologues have been identified in many bacterial species, including the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, the expected SoxR partner, SoxS, has not been found in P. aeruginosa. Thus, the primary gene target(s) of P. aeruginosa SoxR is unknown and the involvement of this regulator in the oxidative stress response of the bacterium remains unclear. We utilized transcriptome profiling to identify the P. aeruginosa SoxR regulon and constructed and characterized an unmarked P. aeruginosa DeltasoxR mutant. We provide evidence indicating that P. aeruginosa SoxR activates a six-gene regulon in response to O(2)(.-)-induced stress. The regulon includes three transcriptional units: (i) the recently identified mexGHI-ompD four-gene operon, which encodes a multidrug efflux pump system involved in quorum-sensing signal homeostasis; (ii) gene PA3718, encoding a probable efflux pump; and (iii) gene PA2274, encoding a probable monooxygenase. We also demonstrate that P. aeruginosa SoxR is not a key regulatory player in the oxidative stress response. Finally, we show that P. aeruginosa SoxR is required for virulence in a mouse model of intrapulmonary infection. These results demonstrate that the E. coli-based SoxRS paradigm does not hold in P. aeruginosa and foster new hypotheses for the possible physiological role of P. aeruginosa SoxR.
Riassunto -Le anomalie climatiche, che si stanno registrando sempre più frequentemente, hanno gra... more Riassunto -Le anomalie climatiche, che si stanno registrando sempre più frequentemente, hanno gravi ripercussioni ambientali non solo nell'ambiente terrestre ma anche marino. Soprattutto in quest'ultimo caso manca la possibilità di condurre monitoraggi estesi ed a lungo termine. Tale limite compromette una adeguata comprensione dei fenomeni, che sono percepiti solo quando notevolemente estesi o estremamente drammatici ed improvvisi. Per questo motivo è nata l'esigenza di avvalersi dell'aiuto di subacquei volontari adeguatamente preparati, come già avviene in numerosi paesi anglosassoni, per valutare in modo esteso le dinamiche i) degli areali di distribuzione di alcune specie target, ii) delle strutture di comunità in stazioni fisse e iii) della temperatura lungo profili costieri verticali. Qui sono illustrati alcuni esempi dei risultati ottenuti, su scala nazionale, dopo circa due anni di attività, al fine di evidenziare le potenzialità del progetto che, se adeguatamente supportato, potrebbe rappresentare un valido strumento di monitoraggio ed un efficace mezzo per sensibilizzare la popolazione verso le problematiche dell'ambiente marino.
A number of microbial contamination incidents have continued to raise questions regarding the saf... more A number of microbial contamination incidents have continued to raise questions regarding the safety of the U.S. food supply with calls for improved food safety control initiatives and standards by both the private and public sectors. As a reaction to these incidents, there have been increased efforts to enhance food safety by the government and industry groups. Increasingly, process standards are being specified that recommend or prescribe Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards for production, Good Handling Practices (GHP) standards for handling products, and Good Management Practices (GMP) for responsibilities in overseeing production and handling operations. A primary concern is the potential that the costs associated with implementing food safety related standards will prohibit small producers and handlers from taking part in certain market segments, such as supplying the supermarkets that sell most of the production in developed and more advanced developing countries. Previous study results are presented that suggest economies of scale effects for larger farm size operations leading to lower per-unit compliance cost. This analysis utilized specialty crop representative farm stochastic simulation models that were designed to analyze the impacts of current and changing market conditions and government policies on a number of key operating variables (KOV). The results of the analysis provide an initial indication that the cost associated with compliance to regulatory standards does have an effect on the profitability of individual enterprises.
ABSTRACT Coralligenous habitats are of special interest in the Mediterranean Sea because they rep... more ABSTRACT Coralligenous habitats are of special interest in the Mediterranean Sea because they represent one of the most important biodiversity ‘hot-spots’ and are considered of great relevance for fisheries activities in the region. Despite their importance, however, there are missing consensual methodologies for their monitoring and, despite some attempts, no environmental or ecological quality indices have been established yet. This situation could be related to the difficulties associated with their exploration and their spatial heterogeneity. These habitats are in urgent need of efficient standard monitoring and management protocols programmes to develop an effective network for their conservation. Here we reviewed the available methodologies and robotics tools used to evaluate and monitor benthic habitats, highlighting the importance of defining rapid cost-effective sampling and analyses approaches and architectures for future monitoring of changes in coralligenous habitats based on current technological developments. We identified still images acquisitions as the most effective data gathering system. Stereo photogrammetry, photomosaic elaboration and three-dimensional (3D) modelling may largely improve the data analysis and therefore the quality status assessment of the coralligenous habitats. The advantage and efficiency of different approaches and methods, and whether they should be applied and standardised for further monitoring activities, were discussed.
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Papers by Marco Palma